Nsele Valley Park

Nsele Valley Park (French: Parc de la Vallée de la Nsele), also known as Kingakati Park or N'Sele Nature Reserve (French: Réserve naturelle de la N'Sele) or Nsele Wildlife Reserve (French: Réserve faunique de la Nsele), is a nature reserve located in Maluku, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is situated 24 kilometers from Ndjili International Airport in the rural commune of Nsele in Kinshasa.[1] It is bordered to the north by the National N1, to the east by the Batéké Plateau, to the south by the Kindu group, the Nsingi mountains and to the west by the Mangweme, Kindobo and Bambala villages. The park was created by former President Joseph Kabila and his wife Olive Lembe di Sita.[2][3][4]

Nsele Valley Park
Parc de la Vallée de la N'sele
Park entrance in 2020
TypeCity park
LocationMaluku, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Area20,000 hectares (77 sq mi)
CreatedJune 2018
FounderJoseph Kabila and Olive Lembe di Sita
Owned byJoseph Kabila and Olive Lembe di Sita
StatusOpen all year
Websitehttps://parcdelavalleedelansele.com/le-parc/

The park is known for its diverse wildlife and rich ecosystems, including savannah, forest, and wetland habitats. It provides a home to numerous species of animals, such as African bush elephants, buffalos, hippopotami, crocodiles, lions, rhinoceroses, giant elands, Roan antelopes, zebras, giraffes, bushbucks, oribis, giant pangolins, wildebeests, python, primates, and various bird species.[5][2]

Geography
Nsele Valley Park, October 2021

Nsele Valley Park is located in the Maluku commune, approximately 31 miles east of Kinshasa. The park spans an area of about 20,000 hectares and a perimeter of 53 kilometers, making it one of the largest urban parks in Kinshasa.[6] It is bordered by the Nsele River, which flows along its eastern boundary. The river, along with other smaller waterways, plays a crucial role in shaping the park's diverse ecosystems and providing water for the wildlife within its boundaries.[5] The park's geography is characterized by rolling hills, riverbanks, and floodplains, offering visitors beautiful views of the natural surroundings and opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, wildlife viewing, and boating along the river.[5]

History
Nsele Valley Park, October 2021

The park was opened in June 2018 by former President Joseph Kabila and his wife, Olive Lembe di Sita. Kabila transformed it into a game reserve before his departure from the presidency. According to Kenya Insights, an independent Kenyan news site reports that a large number of animals have been imported from Namibia by Wildlife Vets. The formal acquisition of the land remains shrouded in mystery. It is one of the few Kabila properties that were never touched during an investigation conducted by Bloomberg and the Congo Research Group in 2017. The park has become a major attraction in Kinshasa, with 1,700 visitors flocking to it every weekend for safaris, at a cost of 50,000 Congolese francs ($21.51).[7][8]

Activities

Nsele Valley Park is a natural setting, designated as a protected area committed to conserving wildlife and plant species.[5]

Activities or services available to tourists:[6][9][10]

References

  1. "Parc de la Vallee de La Nsele to N'djili International Airport". Parc de la Vallee de La Nsele to N’djili International Airport. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  2. "Life after power: Joseph Kabila, the gentleman farmer". The Africa Report.com. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  3. https://www.facebook.com/RFI.English (2021-12-05). "Congo Hold-Up: on the trail of Joseph Kabila's mystery company". RFI. Retrieved 2023-06-07. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); External link in |last= (help)
  4. Freytas-Tamura, Kimiko de (2018-12-14). "He's Handing Over the Presidency but Not Necessarily His Power". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  5. https://www.facebook.com/Sasogorillatripsugandasafaris. "N'Sele Nature Reserve (34 km2) - Saso Gorilla Safaris Uganda". www.gorillatrips.net/. Retrieved 2023-06-07. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); External link in |last= (help)
  6. "LE PARC – Parc de la Vallée de la N'sele". parcdelavalleedelansele.com. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  7. Insights, Kenya (2019-09-07). "For Joseph Kabila There's A Life After Power | Kenya Insights". Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  8. "Document leak shows Kabila family, associates looted DRC funds". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  9. "PARC DE LA VALLÉE DE LA NSELE: 2023 Ce qu'il faut savoir pour votre visite (avec photos)". Tripadvisor (in French). Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  10. https://www.facebook.com/LINTERVIEW.CD (2021-07-03). "Kinshasa – Kingakati : lancement par Olive Lembe de nouvelles activités attractives en présence de quelques ministres". L'INTERVIEW.CD (in French). Retrieved 2023-06-07. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); External link in |last= (help)
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